ACT Scores and Scholarships: Where To Look and What To Know

In the USA, outstanding student loan debt totals almost $145 billion. To put that in perspective, if American student loan debt was a global economy, it would be the 62nd largest in the world. The average student loan debt varies based on how you estimate it, but for most people, it’s between $30,000 and $40,000. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather that number be as close to 0 as possible. There are lots of ways to bring that number down, and one of them is getting a high standardized test score to submit as part of scholarship applications.

Many schools, community organizations, and national foundations offer merit scholarships. While your standardized test scores are virtually never the only criteria, they are often an important part of the application. A minimum score provides an easy consideration cutoff– but you don’t want to aim for the minimum. Instead, you want to aim for your best possible score to make yourself a more competitive applicant. 

Institutional Scholarships

Institutional scholarships, also known as school-funded scholarships, are among the most common and reliable sources of aid tied to ACT scores. These awards come directly from colleges and universities and are often renewable for multiple years.

Academic merit scholarships are the most familiar type of merit scholarship, and usually rely on the quantification of your academic achievements. This means that they typically want your GPA and a standardized test score as the basis of their application process. Some schools have automatic merit scholarship kick-ins, while others are competitive and require additional materials such as essays or interviews. In both cases, a strong ACT score can improve a student’s placement within the award structure.

Honors college scholarships are another important category. Many honors programs offer enhanced scholarships, priority registration, research opportunities, and academic enrichment. ACT scores may be used to determine eligibility or strengthen a student’s candidacy for these programs.

Leadership and talent-based scholarships also fall under the institutional umbrella. While these awards may focus on leadership, service, or specific talents, ACT scores are often reviewed to ensure academic preparedness; for example, ROTC students applying for scholarships are evaluated by their GPA and standardized test scores, alongside their leadership potential. (Fun fact; this varies by branch! Army ROTC must have an ACT score of 19 to qualify, but Air Force ROTC students need a 26.) Students who combine strong scores with demonstrated leadership or creative achievement can be especially competitive.

State and Regional Scholarship Opportunities

Beyond individual colleges, many students benefit from scholarships funded at the state or regional level. These programs often use standardized test scores as part of their eligibility criteria, though requirements vary widely.

State merit scholarships commonly combine GPA and ACT benchmarks. Students who meet the minimum thresholds may qualify for awards that help offset tuition at in-state public colleges. These programs are often designed to encourage academic achievement and keep high-performing students within the state system.

Regional and community-based scholarships take a different approach. Some are tied to residency, school district attendance, or long-term community involvement rather than test scores alone. While ACT performance may still be considered, these programs often prioritize access and local impact. For example, in Florida, the Florida Engineering Society, 

Students should pay close attention to renewal requirements for state and regional scholarships. Maintaining eligibility may require meeting ongoing GPA standards or credit completion benchmarks, regardless of initial ACT scores.

Other Scholarships

Not all scholarships come directly from colleges or state governments. National and private scholarships offer additional pathways to funding, and many have standardized test score requirements– but typically, these are seen as benchmarks that must be met, and the score itself carries less weight. Basically, you must meet the minimum, but many of these don’t care as much about how much over that minimum you are. 

There are two main types of private scholarships: foundation scholarships and corporate scholarships. Foundation scholarships often look at academic achievement alongside leadership, service, and personal background. While ACT scores may be reviewed, they are rarely the primary factor. Instead, committees focus on long-term potential, commitment, and alignment with the organization’s mission. Corporate scholarships are similar, but are often tied to a company’s goals, with the idea to nurture talent in their field. Many companies sponsor awards for students pursuing specific fields or demonstrating particular interests. These scholarships may consider academic performance broadly, but essays, recommendations, and career goals tend to carry significant weight.

If your ACT scores are solid but not exceptional, these scholarships can be especially valuable. They reward strengths that go beyond standardized testing and allow students to showcase their full range of accomplishments.

The Rise of Holistic Review

The term “holistic” is widely used in both admissions and scholarship contexts, but it is often misunderstood. A holistic scholarship application means that reviewers consider the entire student rather than focusing on a single metric.

In a holistic review process, ACT scores are one piece of the parger picture. Committees examine academic transcripts to understand course rigor and grade trends. They read essays to learn about motivation, character, and goals. Recommendations provide insight into work ethic and impact, while extracurricular involvement shows how students contribute beyond the classroom.

Context also matters in holistic review. Reviewers may consider a student’s background, responsibilities, or challenges when evaluating achievements. This approach allows scholarships to recognize growth, resilience, and initiative alongside academic performance.

What Kind of ACT Score Can Lead to a Scholarship?

So now that you know how different types of scholarships think about ACT scores, what does that actually mean for your test scores? 

In general, ACT scores become increasingly helpful for scholarships once that score reaches the mid-20s. At many colleges, a composite score around 24 to 26 can make a student eligible for entry-level merit awards, especially when paired with a solid GPA. These awards may not cover full tuition, but they often provide meaningful discounts that reduce overall college costs.

As ACT scores move into the high-20s, scholarship opportunities tend to expand. Students with scores of 28 or higher are often competitive for more substantial institutional awards, particularly at public universities and mid-sized private colleges. At this level, test scores may place you into higher merit tiers or trigger automatic scholarship consideration at schools that use set award grids.

ACT scores above 30 are where some of the most generous academic scholarships come into play. While a high score does not guarantee a full ride, it can open doors to top-tier merit programs, honors scholarships, and competitive academic awards. These scores signal strong college readiness and can significantly strengthen your overall scholarship profile.

How Students Should Think About ACT Scores and Scholarships

ACT scores remain an important tool for unlocking scholarship opportunities, but they are most effective when viewed as part of a broader strategy. Students aiming for scholarships should focus on improving scores into competitive ranges while also building a strong overall profile.

Preparing thoughtfully for the ACT can pay off in multiple ways. Higher scores can increase eligibility for automatic merit awards, strengthen applications for competitive scholarships, and provide leverage in test-optional environments. At the same time, students should invest in coursework, activities, and writing that support holistic review. Basically, don’t put all your scholarship eggs in one basket!

Ultimately, scholarships are about more than numbers. A strong ACT score can open doors, but it is the combination of academic readiness, effort, and purpose that makes students truly competitive for long-term financial support. Prep Expert® can help you achieve this level of scholarship eligibility and help you present your best self on the application. Check out our ACT course catalog today to find a class that works for you.